Football League World
·10 aprile 2025
Leeds United issued Chelsea transfer price warning

Football League World
·10 aprile 2025
FLW's Leeds United fan pundit has given his verdict on the club's reported interest in Djordje Petrovic
This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Leeds United have been linked with a summer move for Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.
According to Teamtalk, the Serbian is one of the names on the Whites’ shortlist as they consider a replacement for Illan Meslier.
The 25-year-old has spent this season on loan with French side Strasbourg, who are competing for European qualification in Ligue 1.
But, despite falling down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, he still has a contract with the Blues until the summer of 2030.
When asked whether Petrovic would be an upgrade on Meslier, FLW’s Leeds fan pundit Kris Smith claimed that he would be an improvement.
He is expecting a signing to be made to replace the Frenchman this summer, and believes the Chelsea player would be a great option but he named two obstacles that stand in the club’s way of securing a deal this summer.
“I don’t think it’s going to be too difficult for Leeds in the summer to find a replacement that improves on Illan Meslier,” Smith told Football League World.
“I think we’re all expecting it’s going to be the case, especially now that Daniel Farke’s just dropped him from the lineup.
“But, in terms of actual examples, I think Petrovic certainly looks like an upgrade, and a strong one at that as well.
“He was fairly solid in my opinion last season at Chelsea, and he’s continued to show that quality in France for Rosenior’s Strasbourg this season, so I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Leeds are looking at that sort of calibre of goalkeeper.
“The issue that I think Leeds have got is that Chelsea are obviously well aware of his performances out on loan, so one of two things are going to happen.
“He’s either going to be part of their plans next season, given that Robert Sanchez looks atrocious in goal for them at the moment.
“Or he’s going to be sold to the highest bidder, which could be a lot of money given his contract still runs until 2030, so he’s not going to be going cheap.”
Smith also claimed that it’s not so important that the next first-choice goalkeeper be great with the ball at his feet, suggesting fans just want to see someone they can trust between the posts after a number of crucial errors from Meslier this season.
“Looking at what Leeds need, I don’t even think it’s important that this goalkeeper that we sign has to be good with their feet either, given that’s been quite a focus for a lot of teams at the moment,” he added.
“I just think us Leeds fans are starved of having a safe pair of hands in goal that can just win us points through their shot-stopping.
“Petrovic looks like that sort of goalkeeper based on his stats and what people are saying about him at Strasbourg.”
Leeds are currently top of the Championship table after a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough on Tuesday night.
Leeds will need a few upgrades this summer to be ready for life in the Premier League, if they are promoted.
In that case, replacing Meslier is going to be important but the club will need to determine just how important it is and what kind of resources will be needed to get it done.
The other option mentioned was Liverpool’s Caoimhín Kelleher, who is coming into the last 12 months of his contract, and thus should be a cheaper alternative.